Read more of Cultivation of Aerangis luteoalba (Kraenzl.) Schltr.
Culture:
Light:
1200-2000 fc. This species grows well with indoor window sill or artificial light culture. When fluorescent lights are used, growers report success placing plants 6-9 in. (15-23 cm) below the lights.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 75-81F (24-27C), and nights average 56-57F (14C), with a diurnal range of 19-24F (10-13C).
Humidity:
Averages are not available for this location. Records from nearby stations indicate that over the region averages are 70-75% most of the year, dropping to near 65% for a short period in early spring. In late summer, values increase for a short period before falling to 55-60% for 3 months. However, conditions may well be more humid in the riverine forests of the habitat than is indicated by the data recorded at weather stations.
Water:
The double wet - double dry rainfall pattern depicted in the weather data is common throughout the equatorial regions. The wet seasons occur in spring and autumn, while winter is the primary dry season with a secondary dry season occurring in summer. It is not known whether or not the double rainfall cycle is important to the health or blooming of this species. However, it does play an important role as the bloom trigger for other plants that originate in areas with the same rainfall pattern. Cultivated plants should be kept moist during periods corresponding to the wet seasons. They should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings during the dry seasons, but should never dry out completely or be left dry for extended periods. For mounted plants, Fred Hillerman recommends that plants be misted 5 times a week except in winter or during rainy weather. If the weather is hot, plants should also be drenched daily, or soaked (dunked) 3 times a week.
Fertilizer:
A balanced fertilizer, mixed at 1/4-1/2 recommended strength, should be applied weekly during periods of active growth. Many growers use a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphate in autumn. If pots are used, the medium should be leached every few weeks to prevent salt buildup, especially when fertilizer is being applied most heavily. Plants should first be watered normally to dissolve any accumulated salts. An hour or so later, the medium is flushed with water equal to about twice the volume of the pot. Year-round leaching is important in areas with heavily mineralized water.
Rest period:
Winter days average 70-73F (21-23C), and nights average 56-57F (13-14C), with a diurnal range of 14-16F (8-9C). Rainfall is low during a 4 month period in winter and for 2 months in summer. However, high humidity in the stream-side habitat and nightly cooling results in some moisture being available from dew. In cultivation, these conditions may be simulated by early morning mistings, with thorough waterings given every two weeks or so. Plants should be watched carefully for signs of stress while water is reduced, particularly in summer. Water should be increased if such signs appear.
Growing media:
Plants seem to grow better when mounted on slabs of cork with a pad of sphagnum under the base of the plant. Some growers have reported plants have not grown well when tree-fern slabs were used. If plants are mounted, humidity must be high. In addition, mounted plants must be misted at least once daily during most of the year, and several mistings may be required on the hottest days of summer. If pots must be used, a very open medium that allows good air movement around the roots should be used. Medium or large sized fir bark works well with adult plants for some growers. However, seedlings seem to grow better with less root loss if a looser mix of sponge rock or coconut fiber is used instead of a seedling mix based on fir bark. Undersized clay pots should be used. Repotting should be done just as new root growth is starting in order for the plant to become established as soon as possible.
Miscellaneous notes:
In nature, plants with off-white or yellowish flowers grow east of the Rift Valley. They bloom from midsummer into autumn. Those with pure white flowers grow west of the Rift Valley and bloom in early summer.
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
